Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Shipp.
Hi Raven, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello all! I am Raven ‘Raye’ Shipp of BeatbyRaye Beauty. I am a licensed hair designer and certified makeup artist, servicing beauty lovers for the past 10+ years. I was always very motivated and self-sufficient. By the time I graduated high school in 2012, I was a sophomore in college via dual study and scholarships. Although I majored in Business, I couldn’t see myself staying on the college road, and I knew there was a different path for me. I was always influenced by the beauty industry, and coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I decided to attend cosmetology school and become my own boss and business. I was licensed in 2014 at Empire Beauty School in Memphis, TN. I’ve worked in many different salons as an independent contractor, providing both hair and makeup services, but makeup artistry has always been my first love. The hunger to break into the beauty industry brought many opportunities to work with some of the best photographers and videographers in Memphis and allowed me to grow in my artistry. As I grew, I have been published in a fashion magazine, and my work has been featured in many music videos and on television. My experience landed me jobs with some of the most prestigious makeup brands like Esteé Lauder and Sephora, where I was further certified in makeup artistry. I grew within those companies and even had the opportunities to certify other makeup artists to further their careers and be a helpful stepping stone for other artistry experiences. Currently, I am a freelance makeup artist and hair stylist, and a cosmetology instructor for the top-rated education companies in the country!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest setback of my career was losing my family in March 2015. My birth father, a self-employed, retired Military Sergeant, was a major contributor to the idea of entrepreneurship and the quality of trade-based education. He spoke life into my career all the way through cosmetology school and gave me some of the best advice I have ever received. About 6 months after I was licensed, I lost him, stepmother, and younger brother in a 10-car accident in Montgomery, GA. That accident changed not only my life, but my three other sisters’ lives, including my baby sister who survived the accident. A big part of the motivation and wisdom I received was now gone, and I almost gave up. It was hard to cope with, especially having to live with the fact that my baby brother, who was 10 at the time, was no longer here. If it wasn’t for my amazing mother, another successful entrepreneur in my life, and the father that raised me, an astounding Navy veteran, I don’t know if I could have prevailed the way I did. My birth father and stepmother were both entrepreneurs, and I know that they are still guiding and supporting me from the other side. Just because they are not in this realm does not mean that they aren’t encouraging me. I still remember the joy in my birth father’s voice when I was licensed: “My first child with a degree!”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a hairstylist and makeup artist, my creativity flows from my imagination through my limbs and onto my human canvases. In hair, I specialize in curly/coily hair and have a concentration in curly cuts, loc maintenance, protective styles, hair coloring, extensions, and custom unit construction. Although hair is my bread and butter, my true passion is makeup.
In makeup artistry, I specialize in Luxury Special Event Glam, Bridal, Print/Film, and Special Effects makeup. It’s amazing how a few liquid and powder mediums can transform someone into their best self or even into a totally different person.
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve touched. The high end clientele is great and all, but the true connections will always resonate deeper. I’ve done makeup for clients who spoke an entirely different language than me, but the light in their eyes after seeing the finished look broke language barriers. It’s amazing because every client speaks on not only my artistry but my spirit as well. The artistry makes them confident in the results, but from what others say, my spirit brings them back to share repeat experiences. That definitely means the most to me.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the diversity available in the metroplex! There are so many types of people and adventures to experience here. As a black lgbt woman, there are countless places to call home and amazing people to share these moments with. There aren’t too many things that I dislike about here, especially after moving here in 2019. The only thing that’s hard to get used to is the traffic. Since moving to the DFW, I’ve been able to collaborate with amazing makeup artists and entrepreneurs via brand shoots, and work with amazing photographers to bring my artistry alive here. I’ve had so many amazing opportunities since relocating here, and I’m truly happy to say I am officially a Texan.
Contact Info:
- Website: Beatbyraye.as.me
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/beatbyraye.dfw
Image Credits
Robert Washington
Crys Trucker
